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Abstract This study investigated the green synthesis of Zn-MnO nanocomposites via the fungus Penicillium rubens. Herein, the synthesized Zn-MnO nanocomposites were confirmed by UV-spectrophotometry with a top peak (370 nm). Transmission electron microscopy confirmed irregular particles with a spherical-like shape ranging from 25.13 to 36.21 nm. Numerous functional groups were detected on the surface of Zn-MnO nanocomposite via Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. X-Ray diffraction assay appeared that the synthesized Zn-MnO nanocomposites contained two different components, MnO (JCPDS 81-2261) and ZnO (JCPDS 36-1451), while energy dispersive X-ray spectra confirmed the occurrence of manganese, zinc, oxygen, and carbon in Zn-MnO nanocomposites. Zn-MnO nanocomposites demonstrated excellent suppress effect versus the growth of various bacteria namely Staphylococcus aureus, Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), Salmonella typhi, and Klebsiella pneumoniae via agar well diffusion assays with inhibition areas of 36 ± 0.1, 25 ± 0.1, 27 ± 0.2, and 23 ± 0.2 mm, correspondingly. Alterations in the ultrastructure of the treated K. pneumoniae by Zn-MnO nanocomposite were recorded. Both the values of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration of Zn-MnO nanocomposite extended from 15.62 to 125 µg/mL employing the examined bacteria. The antibiofilm activity of Zn-MnO nanocomposites was 82.07, 75.43, 43.65, and 41.35% at 25% MIC, and 96.54, 93.0, 94.53, and 91.11% at 75% MIC against S. aureus, MRSA, K. pneumoniae, and S. typhi, respectively. At 25 to 75% MIC, Zn-MnO nanocomposites exhibited antihemolytic activity with the maximum activity of 96.3% at 75% MIC in the presence of MRSA. Extensive molecular docking studies were performed to identify the optimal location for manganese oxide and zinc oxide nanoclusters binding to MRSA. MnO-NPs and ZnO-NPs demonstrated inhibitory activity against the crystal structure of putative minohydrolase (PDB ID: 4EWT), methicillin acyl-penicillin binding protein 2a structure (PDB ID: 1MWU) and K2U bound crystal structure of class II peptide deformylase from MRSA (PDB ID: 6JFQ). The minimum binding energy was utilized to estimate the receptor’s binding site with NPs, providing additional understanding of the ways of action. Anti-inflammatory activity of Zn-MnO nanocomposites via cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 enzymes inhibition was documented with IC50 doses of 20.81 ± 0.68 µg/mL and 35.87 ± 1.35 µg/mL, respectively. Based on these outcomes, it was concluded that Zn-MnO nanocomposites could be useful agents for the management of multidrug resistant bacterial pathogens and inflammation.

Abstract Black seed has been applied for several decades to cure an extensive variety of illnesses and ailments. In this report, the chemical profile of both crude and ozonized black seed oil was assessed after the oil was exposed to 0 to 5 L/minute of ozone for four hours. The in vitro effects of black seed oil following being exposed to ozone including antimicrobial properties versus Bacillus cereus (ATCC11778), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC6538), Escherichia coli (ATCC8739), Salmonella typhi (ATCC 6539), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC13883), Candida albicans (ATCC10221), and Aspergillus niger (ATCC16888). Besides, antioxidant effects, anti-inflammatory capacity, and antineoplastic function versus HCT cells were assessed. The chemical profile of ozonized black seed oil showed elevation of essential molecules of oil as well as presence of some characteristic molecules to both forms of oil. Besides, it could be noticed that exposing of oil to ozone improves its antimicrobial activity towards all tested microbes except for C. albicans. Both forms of oil showed no activity towards A. niger. Black seed oil exposed to ozone showed a promising antioxidant capacity with IC50 of 2.93 ± 0.2 µg/ml. A dramatic improvement in anti-inflammatory impact of ozonized oil as well as its antitumor capacity towards HCT cells could be seen in the laboratory outcomes. The current findings point to a novel method for enhancing some of the in vitro medicinal uses of black seed oil by exposing it to ozone.

Abstract Biopolymers embedded with nanoparticles of metal oxides (MOs) demonstrate a wide range of bio-functions. Chitosan-incorporated MOs are an interesting class of support matrices for enhancing the biological function, compared to other support matrices. Therefore, the importance of this study lies in exploiting chitosan as a carrier not of one metal as in previous studies, but of two metals in the form of a nanocomposite to carry out several biological functions. The coprecipitation approach was employed to synthesize chitosan/Fe2O3/ZnO-nanocomposite in the present research. The characterization of chitosan/Fe2O3/ZnO-nanocomposite was performed to find out the morphology and dispersion properties of chitosan/Fe2O3/ZnO-nanocomposite. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) investigation revealed that these were crystalline. Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectrum bands were viewed at 400/cm and 900/cm, due to the stretching vibration of Fe and Zn oxygen bond. TEM showed that chitosan/Fe2O3/ZnO-nanocomposite was of 20–95 nm in size. chitosan/Fe2O3/ZnO-nanocomposite exhibited inhibitory potential against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans with inhibition zones of 25 ± 0.1, 28 ± 0.2, 27 ± 0.1, and 27 ± 0.2 mm, respectively while didn’t inhibited Aspergillus niger. MIC value of nanocomposite was 15.62 ± 0.33 µg/mL for C. albicans, B. subtilis and E. coli, while it was 62.50 ± 0.66 µg/mL for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Ranged values of nanocomposite MBC (15.62 ± 0.33 to 125 ± 1 µg/mL) were attributed to all tested bacteria. Different concentrations of chitosan/Fe2O3/ZnO-nanocomposite MBC (25, 50, and 75%) reflected anti-biofilm activity against E. coli (85.0, 93.2, and 96.0%), B. subtilis (84.88, 92.21, and 96.99%), S. aureus 81.64, 90.52, and 94.64%) and P. aurogenosa (90.11, 94.43, and 98.24%), respectively. The differences in the levels of antimicrobial activities may depend on the type of examined microbes. Antioxidant activity of chitosan/Fe2O3/ZnO-nanocomposite was recorded with excellent IC50 values of 16.06 and 32.6 µg/mL using DPPH and ABTS scavenging, respectively. Wound heal by chitosan/Fe2O3/ZnO-nanocomposite was achieved with 100% compared to the untreated cells (76.75% of wound closer). The cytotoxicity outcomes showed that the IC50 of the chitosan/Fe2O3/ZnO-nanocomposite was 564.32 ± 1.46 µg/mL normal WI-38 cells. Based on the achieved findings, the chitosan/Fe2O3/ZnO-nanocomposite is a very promising agent for perform pharmacological activities.

Cinnamon is a plant with significant medicinal value and used extensively as a spice, flavoring, and fragrance ingredient. Phytochemical characterization via HPLC, antimicrobial activity against various microorganisms, anti-diabetic activity via α-amylase and α-glucosidase assessment, antioxidant activity via 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate, total antioxidant capacity and Ferric reducing Antioxidant Power methods, besides anticancer activity against MCF-7 (human breast cancer cells) and WI-38 cells (human fetal lung fibroblast cells) of cinnamon bark extract were detected. A promising antimicrobial action towards Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, Candida albicans, and Mucor circinelloides with inhibition zones of 25, 23, 18, 19, 29, and 16 mm, respectively was recorded. Cinnamon bark has IC50 of 5.01 and 2.58 µg/mL compared to standard acrobose with their IC50 values 4.32 and 1.99 µg/mL, for α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition, respectively. Cinnamon bark extract have IC50 of 77.39 ± 0.84 and 162.67 ± 0.28 μg/mL against MCF-7, and WI-38 cell lines, respectively. The protective effect of cinnamon in accelerating the apoptosis of MCF-7 cells has been verified by flow cytometric evaluation employing Annexin-V and cell cycle kits, besides increasing the amounts of malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide with decreasing glutathione and catalase levels.

Environmental sampling around a landfill site in the UK previously identified the methylimidazolium ionic liquid, 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium (M8OI), in the soil. More recently, M8OI was shown to be detectable in sera from 5/20 PBC patients and 1/10 controls and to be oxidised on the alkyl chain in the human liver. The objective of this study was to examine the metabolism of M8OI in humans in more detail. In human hepatocytes, M8OI was mono-oxygenated to 1-(8-Hydroxyoctyl)-3-methyl-imidazolium (HO8IM) then further oxidised to 1-(7-carboxyheptyl)-3-methyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium (COOH7IM). The addition of ketoconazole—in contrast to a range of other cytochrome P450 inhibitors—blocked M8OI metabolism, suggesting primarily CYP3A-dependent mono-oxygenation of M8OI. Hepatocytes from one donor produced negligible and low levels of HO8IM and COOH7IM, respectively, on incubation with M8OI, when compared to hepatocytes from other donors. This donor had undetectable levels of CYP3A4 protein and low CYP3A enzyme activity. Transcript expression levels for other adult CYP3A isoforms—CYP3A5 and CYP3A43—suggest that a lack of CYP3A4 accounted primarily for this donor’s low rate of M8OI oxidation. Insect cell (supersome) expression of various human CYPs identified CYP3A4 as the most active CYP mediating M8OI mono-oxygenation, followed by CYP3A5. HO8IM and COOH7IM were not toxic to human hepatocytes, in contrast to M8OI, and using a pooled preparation of human hepatocytes from five donors, ketoconazole potentiated M8OI toxicity. These data demonstrate that CYP3A initiates the mono-oxygenation and detoxification of M8OI in adult human livers and that CYP3A4 likely plays a major role in this process.

Abstract Nanoparticles (NPs) formulation in biopolymers is an attractive process for the researcher to decrease the disadvantages of NPs application alone. Bimetallic NPs are a promising formula of two NPs that usually act as synergetic phenomena. Zinc oxide and gold NPs (ZnO@AuNPs) biosynthesis as a bimetallic was prepared via the eco-friendly manner currently. Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) was employed for the formulation of ZnO@AuNPs as a nanocomposite via a green method. Physicochemical and topographical characterization was assigned to ZnO@AuNPs and nanocomposite features. The nanostructure of bimetallic NPs and nanocomposite were affirmed with sizes around 15 and 25 nm, respectively. Indeed, the DLS measurements affirmed the more reasonable size and stability of the prepared samples as 27 and 93 nm for bimetallic NPs and nanocomposite, respectively. The inhibitory potential of nanocomposite was more than ZnO@AuNPs against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Enterococcus faecalis, Mucor albicans, Aspergillus flavus, and Mucor circinelloid. ZnO@AuNPs and nanocomposite exhibited antioxidant activity via DPPH with IC50 of 71.38 and 32.4 µg/mL, correspondingly. Excellent anti-diabetic potential of nanocomposite with IC50 of 7.4 µg/mL, and ZnO@AuNPs with IC50 of 9.7 µg/mL was reported compared with the standard acarbose with the IC50 of 50.93 µg/mL for amylase inhibition (%). Photocatalytic degradation of RR195 and RB dyes was performed by ZnO@AuNPs and nanocomposite, where maximum degradation was 85.7 ± 1.53 and 88.7 ± 0.58%, respectively using ZnO@AuNPs, 90.3 ± 0.28 and 91.8 ± 0.27%, respectively using nanocomposite at 100 min. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Recently, focus has been placed on renewable sources, as they can be provided in large quantities at the lowest possible cost, in order to create nanoparticles. One of these sources is Zygnema moss which used in the present investigation to create Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs). Several phenols and flavonoids were identified the extract of Zygnema sp. via analysis of High performance liquid chromatography. These constituents served as reducing and stabilizing agents for CuONPs. Characterization of CuONPs was performed via UV-visible spectrum that demonstrated peak at 252 nm, Transmission electron microscopy that showed spherical CuONPs with mean diameter of 30.06 nm, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy that confirm that presence of several functional groups aided to formation of CuONPs. The crystallographic pattern of CuONPs was recorded via X-ray diffraction analysis. Antimicrobial potential of CuONPs was compared to copper acetate and antibiotic/antifungal drug. CuONPs exhibited more inhibition zones against S. aureus (32 ± 0.1 mm), E. coli (36 ± 0.1 mm), S. typhi (27 ± 0.2 mm), E. faecalis (37 ± 0.1 mm), C. albicans (34 ± 0.3 mm) than copper acetate and antibiotic/antifungal drug. Promising MIC values of were recorded against S. aureus, E. coli, and S. typhi. CuONPs at 200 ppm inhibited the growth of C. lunata, F. oxysporium, A. flavus, and Mucor circinelloid with inhibtion of 76.92, 73.33, 63.63, and 53.84%, respectively regarded the control 100% growth. The photocatalytic role of CuONPs was recorded for degradation of reactive red (RR195) and reactive blue (RB) dyes with maximum degradation of 84.66% and 90.82%, respectively at 75 min. Moreover, the optimal dyes degradation was 84.66 and 90.82%, respectively at 40 °C.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) crops have experienced a 22% reduction due to attacks from microbial pathogens and pests. Dry rot disease occurred from risks in El-Minya governorate, Egypt, where potato is the major cultivated crop. Potato cultivar ‘Cara’ samples were collected from the markets of six regions in El-Minya for isolation. They were also tested for the application of biosynthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) for disease management. The ability of Exserohilum rostratum to synthesize ZnONPs was documented via UV-visible, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectrum, and transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Spherical shape and crystallite small size (51.0 ± 3.0 nm) were attributed to the created ZnONPs. The ZnONPs were applied in the bio-control of the causative agent (Fusarium nygamai) of dry rot disease and large economic loss of potato cv. ‘Cara’ productivity. The mycosynthesized ZnONPs by E. rostratum at 100 μg/ mL (3 mM) showed antifungal activity against F. nygamai with higher reducing value of mycelium growth diameter 2.0 ± 0.14 cm compared to Revanol 50%, traditional product with a diameter of 3.85 ± 0.10 cm. Overall, ZnONPs are an excellent agent that can be applied to repress the most common fungal disease of potato.

White-rot fungi are vital microorganisms that can decay lignocellulosic biomass. This study investigated the ability of white-rot fungus found on rotten wood to produce ligninolytic enzymes and their enhancement using nanoparticles (NPs). Phanerochaete chrysosporium was isolated from decayed wood. Its ability to produce ligninolytic enzymes, namely CMCase, FPase, Laccase, and MnPase, was recorded. The enzymes’ productivity was enhanced via utilization of the surfactant polysorbate 80 with optimum concentration 0.20 mL/L for maximum CMCase (201.33 ± 2.31 U/mL) and FPase (66.33 ± 0.58 U/mL), whereas the corresponding value was 0.15 mL/L for laccase and MnPase production. Mn2O3NPs and CuONPs enhanced the enzymes’ productivity but with different levels according to their concentrations, where the maximum productivity of CMCase (220.67 ± 2.31 U/mL) and (FPase 74.63 ± 3.51 U/mL) were at 50 ppm, but MnPase (0.52 ± 0.01 U/mL) and laccase (2.88 ± 0.01U/mL) were at 25 ppm and 75 ppm of CuONPs, respectively. Mn2O3NPs at 75 ppm enhanced the productivity of CMCase (219.33 ± 1.15 U/mL) and FPase (74.63 ± 3.51U/mL); but at 25 ppm and 75 ppm enhanced the productivity of laccase (2.40 ± 0.04U/mL) and MnPase (0.73 ± 0.03 U/mL), respectively. Thus, NPs were found to play a vital role in improving the productivity of ligninolytic enzymes.

Nanotechnology is a valuable strategy for managing a number of medicinal, agricultural, and environmental concerns. Cocculus pendulus was used for selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) synthesis to evaluate their usage for microbial inhibition and to enhance plant resistance to heavy metals. Mono-dispersed, spherical shape, and mean diameter (36.19 nm) of SeNPs were documented. More inhibitory potential was associated with SeNPs with inhibition zones of 38±0.3, 18±0.2, 18±0.1, 31±0.2, and 27±0.1 mm than extract of C. pendulus against B. subtilis, S. aureus, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and C. albicans, respectively. SeNPs had successfully scavenged the free radicals of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) with lower IC50 (inhibitory concentration that inhibit 50% of DPPH) value (10.31 µg/mL) than that of C. pendulus extract (55.54 µg/mL). The effect of C. pendulus extract (200 mg/kg soil) alone or in combination with SeNPs (15 mg/kg soil of SeNPs) as a soil drench on shoot, root lengths, plant pigments, lead and cadmium contents of Corchorus olitorius under lead and cadmium stress (5 mg/L) was investigated. The pigments quantity and plant growth were decreased by cadmium and lead poisoning. Application of C. pendulus extracts or SeNPs decreased the Pb and Cd concentrations and improved the growth and metabolites of Corchorus olitorius plants.

Abstract Despite the vital activity of many compounds, they lack that effectiveness due to their low solubility in water. Unfortunately, for this reason, rutin often leads to low tissue permeability and insufficient bioavailability, which has greatly limited its pharmacological utility. Therefore, the present investigation is designed to overcome this problem by formulating the rotin to rotin nanocrystals (RNCs) with studying their some pharmacological applications in vitro and in silico. RNCs were created via the ultrasonication approach and showed a spherical shape via Transmission electron microscopy with a mean particle size of 27 nm. RNCs reflected inhibitory action against Helicobacter pylori with an inhibition zone (IZ) of 22.67 mm compared to rutin (IZ of 18 mm) and standard control (IZ of 19.5 mm). RNCs exhibited less minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) (7.8 µg/mL) than rutin (62.5 µg/mL). The MBC/MIC index of rutin and RNCs indicated their bactericidal properties. RNCs were more acutely (92.12%) than rutin (85.43%) for inhibition the H. pylori biofilm formation. A promising half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) (6.85 µg/mL) was recorded using RNCs for urease inhibition compared to the IC50 value of rutin (97.8 µg/mL). The activity of rutin and RNCs was tested against cancer cells of human colon cancer (HT-29) and normal Vero cells. IC50 values of RNCs were less 168.23 ± 1.15 µg/mL and 297.69 ± 4.23 µg/mL than the IC50 values of rutin 184.96 ± 4.33 µg/mL and 335.31 ± 2.02 µg/mL against HT-29 cells and normal Vero cells, respectively. Different percentages (72.2, 77.3, and 81.9%) of hemolysis inhibition were recorded using RNCs, but 63.6, 68.9, 73.6, and 80.6% were obtained using rutin at 600, 800, and 1000 µg/mL, respectively. Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibition % was documented at a lower IC50 value for RNCs (12.74 µg/mL) than the IC50 of rutin (18.15 µg/mL). The target molecule underwent molecular docking research against H. pylori [Protein Data Bank (PDB) code: 4HI0], HT-29 cells (PDB code: 2HQ6), and BChE (PDB code: 6EMI) in order to enhance the interactions between rutin and the chosen receptors and to estimate its molecular operating environment (MOE) affinity scoring. Rutin has predicted strong binding interactions and potent activity against the examined proteins 4HI0, 2HQ6, and 6EMI with low binding scores of − 7.47778 kcal/mol, − 7.68511 kcal/mol, and − 9.50333 kcal/mol, respectively.

A huge rise in energy consumption has been observed in the past few decades because of population and economic growth. One of the renewable energy fuels that can be made from biomass is bioethanol. In Saudi Arabia, date palm provides tons of biomass waste each year, leading to serious problems. The current study aimed to use the date palm fibers (DPF) for bioethanol production via a saccharization step (by hydrochloric acid or by Trichoderma harzianum) for cellulose. This was followed by fermentation (by Saccharomyces cerevisiae). The maximum amount of total carbohydrates (95.55 ± 2.6 mg/dL) and reducing sugar (11.35 ± 0.35 mg/dL) were obtained on the 7th day using T. harzianum. The optimum period of bioethanol production was at day 6 (12.52 ± 1.3 g/L), while at day 5 it became (12.76 ± 0.75 g/L) when the DPF were fortified with yeast extract. The bioethanol maximum yield (12.03 ± 1.10 g/L) was obtained at 30 °C. Moreover, 2 mL of S. cerevisiae inoculum gave maximum yield of bioethanol. Gas chromatographic analysis showed that bioethanol in the fermented broth represented the major constituent with a peak area of 75.01%. The findings indicate that the fortified DPF with yeast extract gave a promising bioethanol yield.

Abstract Background Owing to its remarkable mechanical properties that surpass the plant-based cellulose, bacterial cellulose production has been targeted for commercialization during the last few years. However, the large-scale production of cellulose is generally limited by the slow growth of producing strains and low productivity which ultimately makes the commercial production of cellulose using the conventional strains non cost-effective. In this study, we developed a novel plasmid-based expression system for the biosynthesis of cellulose in E. coli DH5α and assessed the cellulose productivity relative to the typically used E. coli BL21 (DE) expression strain. Results No production was detected in BL21 (DE3) cultures upon expression induction; however, cellulose was detected in E. coli DH5α as early as 1 h post-induction. The total yield in induced DH5α cultures was estimated as 200 ± 5.42 mg/L (dry weight) after 18 h induction, which surpassed the yield reported in previous studies and even the wild-type Gluconacetobacter xylinum BRC5 under the same conditions. As confirmed with electron microscope micrograph, E. coli DH5α produced dense cellulose fibers with ~ 10 μm diameter and 1000–3000 μm length, which were remarkably larger and more crystalline than that typically produced by G. hansenii. Conclusions This is the first report on the successful cellulose production in E. coli DH5α which is typically used for plasmid multiplication rather than protein expression, without the need to co-express cmcax and ccpAx regulator genes present in the wild-type genome upstream the bcs-operon, and reportedly essential for the biosynthesis.

Methylimidazolium ionic liquids (MILs) are solvent chemicals used in industry. Recent work suggests that MILs are beginning to contaminate the environment and lead to exposure in the general population. In this study, the potential for MILs to cause cardiac toxicity has been examined. The effects of 5 chloride MIL salts possessing increasing alkyl chain lengths (2 C, EMI; 4 C, BMI; 6 C; HMI, 8 C, M8OI; 10 C, DMI) on rat neonatal cardiomyocyte beat rate, beat amplitude and cell survival were initially examined. Increasing alkyl chain length resulted in increasing adverse effects, with effects seen at 10−5 M at all endpoints with M8OI and DMI, the lowest concentration tested. A limited sub-acute toxicity study in rats identified potential cardiotoxic effects with longer chain MILs (HMI, M8OI and DMI) based on clinical chemistry. A 5 month oral/drinking water study with these MILs confirmed cardiotoxicity based on histopathology and clinical chemistry endpoints. Since previous studies in mice did not identify the heart as a target organ, the likely cause of the species difference was investigated. qRT-PCR and Western blotting identified a marked higher expression of p-glycoprotein-3 (also known as ABCB4 or MDR2) and the breast cancer related protein transporter BCRP (also known as ABCG2) in mouse, compared to rat heart. Addition of the BCRP inhibitor Ko143 – but not the p-glycoproteins inhibitor cyclosporin A - increased mouse cardiomyocyte HL-1 cell sensitivity to longer chain MILs to a limited extent. MILs therefore have a potential for cardiotoxicity in rats. Mice may be less sensitive to cardiotoxicity from MILs due in part, to increased excretion via higher levels of cardiac BCRP expression and/or function. MILs alone, therefore may represent a hazard in man in the future, particularly if use levels increase. The impact that MILs exposure has on sensitivity to cardiotoxic drugs, heart disease and other chronic diseases is unknown.

In the last decade, the urgent need to explore medicinal plants or drug development has increased enormously around the world to overcome numerous health problems. In the present investigation, HPLC indicated the existence of 18 phenolic and flavonoid compounds in the Cupressus sempervirens extract. Hesperetin represents the greatest concentration (25,579.57 µg/mL), while other compounds, such as pyro catechol, rutin, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, naringenin, and quercetin, were recognized in concentrations of 2922.53 µg/mL, 1313.26 µg/mL, 1107.26 µg/mL, 389.09 µg/mL, 156.53 µg/mL, and 97.56 µg/mL, respectively. The well diffusion method documented the antibacterial/antifungal activity of C. sempervirens extract against E. faecalis, E. coli, C. albicans, S. typhi, S.aureus, and M. circinelloid with 35, 33, 32, 25, 23, and 21 mm inhibition zones, respectively, more than the standard antibiotic/antifungal agent. Low values ranging from 7.80 to 15.62 µg/mL of MIC and MBC were recorded for E. faecalis, E. coli, and C. albicans. From the 1- diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) assay, promising antioxidant activity was recorded for C. sempervirens extract with IC50 of an 8.97 µg/mL. Moreover, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and total antioxidant capacity assays (TAC) confirmed the antioxidant activity of the extract, which was expressed as the ascorbic acid equivalent (AAE) of 366.9 ± 0.2 µg/mg and 102 ± 0.2 µg/mg of extracts, respectively. α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition % were determined to express the antidiabetic activity of the extract in vitro, with promising IC50 value (27.01 µg/mL) for α-amylase compared to that of acarbose (50.93 µg/mL), while IC50 value of the extract for α-glucosidase was 19.21µg/mL compared to that of acarbose 4.13 µg/mL. Prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) revealed the role of C. sempervirens extract as an anticoagulant agent if compared with the activity of heparin. Binding interactions of hesperetin and gallic acid were examined via the Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) Dock software against E. faecalis (PDB ID: 3CLQ), C. albicans (PDB ID: 7RJC), α-amylase (PDB ID: 4W93), and α-glucosidase (PDB ID: 3TOP). The obtained results shed light on how molecular modeling methods might inhibit the tested compounds, which have the potential to be useful in the treatment of target proteins.

Lawsonia inermis, known as henna, has traditionally been utilized in cosmetics and folk medicine because of their valuable health effects. A lack of information about the processes that increase or decrease release, as well as the biological activities of constituents of natural origin, is an important pharmacological problem. This investigation evaluates the influence of moist heat on the flavonoid and phenolic contents of henna powder and their biological activities. HPLC analysis reflected the existence of 20 and 19 compounds of flavonoids and phenolics in the extract of unpre-treated henna by moist heat (UPMH) and pre-treated henna by moist heat (PMH). Several compounds such as chlorogenic acid, ellagic acid, rutin, rosmarinic acid, kaempferol, and pyrocatechol occurred with high concentrations of 57,017.33, 25,821.09, 15,059.88, 6345.08, 1248.42, and 819.19 µg/mL UPMH while occurred with low concentrations of 44,286.51, 17,914.26, 3809.85, 5760.05, 49.01, and 0.0 µg/mL, respectively in PMH. C. albicans, C. tropicalis, and G. candidum were more affected by UPMH with inhibition zones of 30.17 ± 0.29, 27 ± 0.5, and 29 ± 1.5 mm than PMH with inhibition zones of 29 ± 0.5, 25.33 ± 0.58, and 24.17 ± 0.29 mm, respectively. UPMH henna exhibited less MIC and MFC against the tested yeasts than PMH. Moreover, UPMH henna showed good wound healing, where the rat of migration, wound closure %, and area difference % were 14.806 um, 74.938 um2, and 710.667% compared with PMH henna 11.360 um, 59.083 um2, 545.333%, respectively. Antioxidant activity of UPMH and PMH henna. Promising antioxidant activity was recorded for both UPMH or PMH henna with IC50 5.46 µg/mL and 7.46 µg/mL, respectively. The docking interaction of chlorogenic acid and ellagic acid with the crystal structures of G. candidum (4ZZT) and C. albicans (4YDE) was examined. The biological screening demonstrated that the compounds had favorable docking results with particular proteins. Chlorogenic acid had robust behavior in the G. candidum (4ZZT) active pocket and displayed a docking score of −7.84379 Kcal/mol, higher than ellagic acid’s −6.18615 Kcal/mol.

It is worth noting that laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) contains several pharmacologically and nutritionally active compounds that may differ according to the pretreatment process. The current study is designed to clarify the effect of moist heat on the phenolic and flavonoid constituents and anti-Helicobacter pylori, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-Alzheimer’s activities of laurel leaf extract (LLE). Unmoist-heated (UMH) and moist-heated (MH) LLEs showed the presence of numerous flavonoid and phenolic constituents, although at different levels of concentration. MH significantly induced (p < 0.05) the occurrence of most compounds at high concentrations of 5655.89 µg/mL, 3967.65 µg/mL, 224.80 µg/mL, 887.83 µg/mL, 2979.14 µg/mL, 203.02 µg/mL, 284.65 µg/mL, 1893.66 µg/mL, and 187.88 µg/mL, unlike the detection at low concentrations of 3461.19 µg/mL, 196.96 µg/mL, 664.12 µg/mL, 2835.09 µg/mL, 153.26 µg/mL, 254.43 µg/mL, 1605.00 µg/mL, 4486.02 µg/mL, and 195.60 µg/mL using UMH, for naringenin, methyl gallate, caffeic acid, rutin, ellagic acid, coumaric acid, vanillin, ferulic acid, and hesperetin, respectively. Chlorogenic acid, syringic acid, and daidzein were detected in the UMH LLE but not in the MH LLE, unlike pyrocatechol. The anti-H. pylori activity of the UMH LLE was lower (23.67 ± 0.58 mm of inhibition zone) than that of the MH LLE (26.00 ± 0.0 mm of inhibition zone). Moreover, the values of MIC and MBC associated with the MH LLE were very low compared to those of the UMH LLE. Via MBC/MIC index calculation, the UMH and MH LLEs showed cidal activity. The MH LLE exhibited higher anti-biofilm activity (93.73%) compared to the anti-biofilm activity (87.75%) of the MH LLE against H. pylori. The urease inhibition percentage was more affected in the UMH LLE compared to the MH LLE, with significant (p < 0.05) IC50 values of 34.17 µg/mL and 91.11 µg/mL, respectively. Promising antioxidant activity was documented with a very low value of IC50 (3.45 µg/mL) for the MH LLE compared to the IC50 value of 4.69 µg/mL for the UMH LLE and the IC50 value of 4.43 µg/mL for ascorbic acid. The MH LLE showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) inhibition of α-glucosidase and butyrylcholinesterase activities, with IC50 values of 9.9 µg/mL and 17.3 µg/mL, respectively, compared to those of the UMH LLE at 18.36 µg/mL and 28.92 µg/mL. The molecular docking of naringenin showed good docking scores against acetylcholinesterase 1E66 and butyrylcholinesterase 6EMI, indicating that naringenin is an intriguing candidate for additional research as a possible medication for Alzheimer’s disease.

Background: In the last few decades, the development of multidrug-resistant (MDR) microbes has accelerated alarmingly and resulted in significant health issues. Morbidity and mortality have increased along with the prevalence of infections caused by MDR bacteria, making the need to solve these problems an urgent and unmet challenge. Therefore, the current investigation aimed to evaluate the activity of linseed extract against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) as an isolate from diabetic foot infection. In addition, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory biological activities of linseed extract were evaluated. Result: HPLC analysis indicated the presence of 1932.20 µg/mL, 284.31 µg/mL, 155.10 µg/mL, and 120.86 µg/mL of chlorogenic acid, methyl gallate, gallic acid, and ellagic acid, respectively, in the linseed extract. Rutin, caffeic acid, coumaric acid, and vanillin were also detected in the extract of linseed. Linseed extract inhibited MRSA (35.67 mm inhibition zone) compared to the inhibition zone (29.33 mm) caused by ciprofloxacin. Standards of chlorogenic acid, ellagic acid, methyl gallate, rutin, gallic acid, caffeic acid, catechin, and coumaric acid compounds reflected different inhibition zones against MRSA when tested individually, but less than the inhibitory action of crude extract. A lower MIC value, of 15.41 µg/mL, was observed using linseed extract than the MIC 31.17 µg/mL of the ciprofloxacin. The MBC/MIC index indicated the bactericidal properties of linseed extract. The inhibition % of MRSA biofilm was 83.98, 90.80, and 95.58%, using 25%, 50%, and 75%, respectively, of the MBC of linseed extract. A promising antioxidant activity of linseed extract was recorded, with an IC50 value of 20.8 µg/mL. Anti-diabetic activity of linseed extract, expressed by glucosidase inhibition, showed an IC50 of 177.75 µg/mL. Anti-hemolysis activity of linseed extract was documented at 90.1, 91.5, and 93.7% at 600, 800, and 1000 µg/mL, respectively. Anti-hemolysis activity of the chemical drug indomethacin, on the other hand, was measured at 94.6, 96.2, and 98.6% at 600, 800, and 1000 µg/mL, respectively. The interaction of the main detected compound in linseed extract (chlorogenic acid) with the crystal structure of the 4G6D protein of S. aureus was investigated via the molecular docking (MD) mode to determine the greatest binding approach that interacted most energetically with the binding locations. MD showed that chlorogenic acid was an appropriate inhibitor for S. aureus via inhibition of its 4HI0 protein. The MD interaction resulted in a low energy score (−6.26841 Kcal/mol) with specified residues (PRO 38, LEU 3, LYS 195, and LYS 2), indicating its essential role in the repression of S. aureus growth. Conclusion: Altogether, these findings clearly revealed the great potential of the in vitro biological activity of linseed extract as a safe source for combatting multidrug-resistant S. aureus. In addition, linseed extract provides health-promoting antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory phytoconstituents. Clinical reports are required to authenticate the role of linseed extract in the treatment of a variety of ailments and prevent the development of complications associated with diabetes mellitus, particularly type 2.

The resistance of cancer and Helicobacter pylori to several drugs reflects a worldwide problem, and it has been the intention of numerous researchers to overcome this problem. Thus, in this study, Acacia nilotica fruits were subjected to HPLC analysis to detect their phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Moreover, A. nilotica‘s anti-H. pylori activity and its inhibitory activity against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG-2 cells) were reported. Various compounds with different concentrations, such as ferulic acid (5451.04 µg/mL), chlorogenic acid (4572.26 µg/mL), quercetin (3733.37 µg/mL), rutin (2393.13 µg/mL), gallic acid (2116.77 µg/mL), cinnamic acid (69.72 µg/mL), hesperetin (121.39 µg/mL) and methyl gallate (140.45 µg/mL), were detected. Strong anti-H. pylori activity at 31 mm was reported, compared to the positive control of the 21.67 mm inhibition zone. Moreover, the MIC and MBC were 7.8 µg/mL and 15.62 µg/mL, respectively, while the MIC and MBC of the positive control were 31.25 µg/mL. The concentration of MBC at 25%, 50% and 75% reflected H. pylori’s anti-biofilm activity of 70.38%, 82.29% and 94.22%, respectively. Good antioxidant properties of the A. nilotica flower extract were documented at 15.63, 62.50, 250 and 1000 µg/mL, causing the DPPH scavenging percentages of 42.3%, 52.6%, 65.5% and 80.6%, respectively, with a IC50 of 36.74 µg/mL. HepG-2 cell proliferation was inhibited (91.26%) using 500 µg/mL of flower extract with an IC50 of 176.15 µg/mL, compared to an IC50 of 395.30 µg/mL used against human normal melanocytes. Molecular docking was applied to investigate ferulic acid with the H. pylori (4HI0) crystal structure to determine the best binding mode that interacted most energetically with the binding sites. Molecular docking indicated that ferulic acid was a proper inhibitor for the 4HI0 protein enzyme of H. pylori. A low energy score (−5.58 Kcal/mol) was recorded as a result of the interaction of ferulic acid with the residue’s SER 139 active site caused by the O 29 atom, which was important for its antibacterial activity.

Nowadays, endophytic fungi represent a rich source of biological active compounds. In the current study, twelve endophytic fungal species were isolated from Avicennia marina leaves. From the isolates, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium rubens and Alternaria alternata recorded the highest isolation frequency (80%), relative density (12.5%) and antimicrobial activity. The antimicrobial and anticancer activities of P. rubens were more effective than those of A. niger and A. alternata; therefore, its identification was confirmed via the ITS rRNA gene. Filtrate extracts of P. rubens, A. alternata and A. niger were analyzed using GC-MS and showed different detected constituents, such as acetic acid ethyl ester, N-(4,6-Dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)-4-(4-nitrobenzylideneamino) benzenesulfonamide, 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, hexadecanoic acid and octadecanoic acid. Filtrate extract of P. rubens exhibited the presence of more compounds than A. alternata and A. niger. Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus were more inhibited by P. rubens extract than A. alternata or A. niger, with inhibition zones of 27.2 mm, 22.21 mm, 26.26 mm, 27.33 mm, 28.25 mm and 8.5 mm, respectively. We observed negligible cytotoxicity of P. rubens extract against normal cells of human lung fibroblasts (WI-38 cell line), unlike A. alternata and A. niger extracts. Proliferation of prostate cancer (PC-3) was inhibited using P. rubens extract, exhibiting mortality levels of 75.91% and 76.2% at 200 µg/mL and 400 µg/mL of the extract. Molecular docking studies against the crystal structures of C. albicans (6TZ6) and the cryo-EM structure of B. subtilis (7CKQ) showed significant interactions with benzenedicarboxylic acid and N-(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)-4-(4-nitrobenzylideneamino) benzenesulfonamide as a constituent of P. rubens extract. N-(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)-4-(4-nitrobenzylideneamino) benzenesulfonamide had the highest scores of −6.04905 kcal/mol and −6.590 kcal/mol towards (6tz6) and (7CKQ), respectively.

Multiple biological functions of Mentha pulegium extract were evaluated in the current work. Phytochemical components of the M. pulegium extract were detected by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Moreover, M. pulegium extract was estimated for antioxidant potential by 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) free radical scavenging, antimicrobial activity by well diffusion, and anticoagulant activity via prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). GC-MS analysis detected compounds including cholesterol margarate, stigmast-5-en-3-ol, 19-nor-4-androstenediol, androstan-17-one, pulegone-1,2-epoxide, isochiapin B, dotriacontane, hexadecanoic acid and neophytadiene. Chrysoeriol (15.36 µg/mL) was followed by kaempferol (11.14 µg/mL) and 7-OH flavone (10.14 µg/mL), catechin (4.11 µg/mL), hisperdin (3.05 µg/mL), and luteolin (2.36 µg/mL) were detected by HPLC as flavonoids, in addition to ferulic (13.19 µg/mL), cinnamic (12.69 µg/mL), caffeic (11.45 µg/mL), pyrogallol (9.36 µg/mL), p-coumaric (5.06 µg/mL) and salicylic (4.17 µg/mL) as phenolics. Antioxidant activity was detected with IC50 18 µg/mL, hemolysis inhibition was recorded as 79.8% at 1000 μg/mL, and PT and APTT were at 21.5 s and 49.5 s, respectively, at 50 μg/mL of M. pulegium extract. The acute toxicity of M. pulegium extract was recorded against PC3 (IC50 97.99 µg/mL) and MCF7 (IC50 80.21 µg/mL). Antimicrobial activity of M. pulegium extract was documented against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonasaureus, Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but not against black fungus Mucor circinelloides. Molecular docking was applied using MOE (Molecular Operating Environment) to explain the biological activity of neophytadiene, luteolin, chrysoeriol and kaempferol. These compounds could be suitable for the development of novel pharmacological agents for treatment of cancer and bacterial infections.

Natural origin molecules represent reliable and excellent sources to overcome some medicinal problems. The study of anticancer, anticoagulant, and antimicrobial activities of Thevetia peruviana latex were the aim of the current research. An investigation using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed that the major content of the flavonoids are rutin (11.45 µg/mL), quersestin (7.15 µg/mL), naringin (5.25 µg/mL), and hisperdin (6.07 µg/mL), while phenolic had chlorogenic (12.39 µg/mL), syringenic (7.45 µg/mL), and ferulic (5.07 µg/mL) acids in latex of T. peruviana. Via 1,1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, the experiment demonstrated that latex had a potent antioxidant activity with the IC50 43.9 µg/mL for scavenging DPPH. Hemolysis inhibition was 58.5% at 1000 µg/mL of latex compared with 91.0% at 200 µg/mL of indomethacin as positive control. Negligible anticoagulant properties of latex were reported where the recorded time was 11.9 s of prothrombin time (PT) and 29.2 s of the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) at 25 µg/mL, compared with the same concentration of heparin (PT 94.6 s and APPT 117.7 s). The anticancer potential of latex was recorded against PC-3 (97.11% toxicity) and MCF-7 (96.23% toxicity) at 1000 μg/mL with IC50 48.26 μg/mL and 40.31 µg/mL, respectively. Disc diffusion assessment for antimicrobial activity recorded that the most sensitive tested microorganisms to latex were Bacillus subtilis followed by Escherichia coli, with an inhibition zone (IZ) of 31 mm with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) (10.2 μg/mL) and 30 mm (MIC, 12.51 μg/mL), respectively. Moreover, Candida albicans was sensitive (IZ, 28 mm) to latex, unlike black fungus (Mucor circinelloides). TEM examination exhibited ultrastructure changes in cell walls and cell membranes of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa treated with latex. Energy scores of the molecular docking of chlorogenic acid with E. coli DNA (7C7N), and Rutin with human prostate-specific antigen (3QUM) and breast cancer-associated protein (1JNX), result in excellent harmony with the experimental results. The outcome of research recommended that the latex is rich in constituents and considered a promising source that contributes to fighting cancer and pathogenic microorganisms.

The functional and structural features of microbial load in soil are influenced by the presence of insecticides. This study examined the impact of two organophosphorus insecticides, dimethoate and parathion on the microbial load of soil. The colony count of fungi, actinomycetes, bacteria, and nitrogen fixing bacteria was reduced after insecticides application at 7 and 14 days, but at 28 days the colony count began to increase. The growth of two white rot fungi including Pleurotus sajor-caju and Phanerochaete chrysosporium was affected by parathion, which was reflected by a decrease in colony radius to 1.85±0.05 and 0.75±0.06 cm, respectively, and by dimethoate, reflected by a decrease in colony radius to 3.33±0.12 and 1.85±0.05 cm, respectively at 40 mg/L compared to colony radius at control 7.90±0.12 and 7.50±0.06 cm, respectively. The applied low concentration (10 mg/L) encouraged P. sajor-caju and P. chrysosporium to remove up to 87.7% and 81.8% of dimethoate, respectively, and 69.20 and 68.30% of parathion, respectively compared with the decomposition at high dose (40 mg/L) at 28 days. The presence of insecticides induced the production of ligninolytic enzymes lignin peroxidase, laccase, and manganase peroxidase.

Water pollution has become a worldwide issue, particularly in developing countries. This study aimed to cleanse water contaminated with reactive red (RR-198) and reactive blue (RB-19) dyes via adsorption onto nonliving white rot fungal biomass Phanerochaete chrysosporium under different operational conditions. It was found that P. chrysosporium removed more of RB-19 than RB-198. The conditions of pH 3, temperature 50 °C, adsorbent dosage 0.6 g, particle sizes of adsorbent (0.25 mm), and contact time (30 min) were optimum for removal of the dyes. RR-198 and RB-19 were removed with levels of 78.4% and 86.4%, respectively at pH 3; 79.6% and 90.0%, respectively using 0.6 g of adsorbent dosage; 82.0% and 87.0%, respectively at 30 min; and 82.0% and 87.2%, respectively at 50 °C. Thus, dead P. chrysosporium biomass was shown to be a biosorbent for the uptake of RB-19 and RR-198 dyes.

Ionic liquids are salts used in a variety of industrial processes, and being relatively non-volatile, are proposed as environmentally-friendly replacements for existing volatile liquids. Methylimidazolium ionic liquids resist complete degradation in the environment, likely because the imidazolium moiety does not exist naturally in biological systems. However, there is limited data available regarding their mammalian effects in vivo. This study aimed to examine the effects of exposing mice separately to 2 different methylimidazolium ionic liquids (BMI and M8OI) through their addition to drinking water. Potential effects on key target organs-the liver and kidney-were examined, as well as the gut microbiome. Adult male mice were exposed to drinking water containing ionic liquids at a concentration of 440 mg/L for 18 weeks prior to examination of tissues, serum, urine and the gut microbiome. Histopathology was performed on tissues and clinical chemistry on serum for biomarkers of hepatic and renal injury. Bacterial DNA was isolated from the gut contents and subjected to targeted 16S rRNA sequencing. Mild hepatic and renal effects were limited to glycogen depletion and mild degenerative changes respectively. No hepatic or renal adverse effects were observed. In contrast, ionic liquid exposure altered gut microbial composition but not overall alpha diversity. Proportional abundance of Lachnospiraceae, Clostridia and Coriobacteriaceae spp. were significantly greater in ionic liquid-exposed mice, as were predicted KEGG functional pathways associated with xenobiotic and amino acid metabolism. Exposure to ionic liquids via drinking water therefore resulted in marked changes in the gut microbiome in mice prior to any overt pathological effects in target organs. Ionic liquids may be an emerging risk to health through their potential effects on the gut microbiome, which is implicated in the causes and/or severity of an array of chronic disease in humans.

The rat pancreatic AR42J-B13 (B-13) cell line differentiates into non-replicative hepatocyte-like (B-13/H) cells in response to glucocorticoid. Since this response is dependent on an induction of serine/threonine protein kinase 1 (SGK1), this may suggest that a general pivotal role for SGK1 in hepatocyte maturation. To test this hypothesis, the effects of expressing adenoviral-encoded flag tagged human SGK1F (AdV-SGK1F) was examined at 3 stages of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) differentiation to hepatocytes. B-13 cells infected with AdV-SGK1F in the absence of glucocorticoid resulted in expression of flag tagged SGK1F protein; increases in β-catenin phosphorylation; decreases in Tcf/Lef transcriptional activity; expression of hepatocyte marker genes and conversion of B-13 cells to a cell phenotype near-similar to B-13/H cells. Given this demonstration of functionality, iPSCs directed to differentiate towards hepatocyte-like cells using a standard protocol of chemical inhibitors and mixtures of growth factors were additionally infected with AdV-SGK1F, either at an early time point during differentiation to endoderm; during endoderm differentiation to anterior definitive endoderm and hepatoblasts and once converted to hepatocyte-like cells. SGK1F expression had no effect on differentiation to endoderm, likely due to low levels of expression. However, expression of SGK1F in both iPSCs-derived endoderm and hepatocyte-like cells both resulted in promotion of cells to an hepatoblast phenotype. These data demonstrate that SGK1 expression promotes an hepatoblast phenotype rather than maturation of human iPSC towards a mature hepatocyte phenotype and suggest a transient role for Sgk1 in promoting an hepatoblast state in B-13 trans-differentiation to B-13/H cells.